How to generate $50,000 a year from ASX dividends

Are you wanting to earn a passive income of $50,000 from ASX dividends? Then Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX:TLS) and these shares could…

| More on:
man handing over wad of cash representing ASX retail capital return

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Earning a passive income of $50,000 a year from the share market is entirely possible for regular investors.

There are a couple of ways to achieve this.

How can you earn $50,000 a year from investing?

If you already have a significant nest egg, then investing your funds into shares with generous dividend yields is the quickest way to do this.

Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) or Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), for example, offer fully franked forward yields in the region of 5%.

This means that an investment of $1 million in their shares would generate $50,000 in dividends this year.

What if you don't have a million dollars?

Very few people will be lucky enough to have a million dollars to invest in the share market. But don't let that put you off.

If you have both time and patience, then earnings $50,000 each year from the share market is possible.

You can achieve this by investing in dividend-paying companies (or future dividend payers) that have the potential to grow strongly over the long term.

A prime example of this is biotechnology giant CSL Limited (ASX: CSL). Let's forget all the capital gains you would have earned over the last 27 years and focus purely on dividends.

When CSL shares landed on the ASX boards in 1994, investors could have picked them up for just 76 cents apiece.

According to a note out of UBS, it is expecting the company to pay shareholders a dividend of approximately $2.95 per share in FY 2021.

While this equates to a paltry 1.1% yield based on the current CSL share price, it represents a mammoth 388% yield on the price you would have paid for its shares in 1994.

That's right! For every dollar you invested into CSL shares in 1994, you would be receiving $3.88 back this year in dividends.

This means that an investment of just $12,000 into the company in 1994 would yield $50,000 in dividends in 2021.

What about the future?

Unfortunately, CSL shares are highly unlikely to repeat this feat over the next 27 years. However, if you look at the smaller side of the market, at shares with strong growth potential and equally strong business models, you might just identify the next success story.

On that note, companies such as Bigtincan Holdings Ltd (ASX: BTH), Damstra Holdings Ltd (ASX: DTC), and Doctor Care Anywhere Ltd (ASX: DOC) could be worth a closer look.

James Mickleboro owns shares of Westpac Banking. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and recommends Damstra Holdings Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of CSL Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. recommends BIGTINCAN FPO. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended BIGTINCAN FPO and Telstra Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Damstra Holdings Ltd and Doctor Care Anywhere Group PLC. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Share Market News

A diverse group of people form a circle at a park and raise their arms together.
Share Market News

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

ASX investors ended the trading week on a high note this Friday...

Read more »

Broker Notes

Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

Here's why brokers are feeling bullish about these three shares this week.

Read more »

A businessman looking at his digital tablet or strategy planning in hotel conference lobby. He is happy at achieving financial goals.
Share Gainers

Why Catapult, De Grey Mining, Domino's, and Nufarm shares are charging higher

These shares are ending the week strongly. But why?

Read more »

A young woman holds an open book over her head with a round mouthed expression as if to say oops as she looks at her computer screen in a home office setting with a plant on the desk and shelves of books in the background.
Healthcare Shares

This ASX All Ords share is diving 18% as inflation pain draws blood

This healthcare company delivered a trading update at its annual general meeting today.

Read more »

Three analysts look at tech options on a wall screen
Technology Shares

Up 70%, is it too late to invest in Xero shares?

This ASX tech darling hit a new all-time share price record yesterday.

Read more »

A woman with a sad face looks to be receiving bad news on her phone as she holds it in her hands and looks down at it.
Share Fallers

Why Healius, Opthea, Peninsula Energy, and Wildcat shares are falling today

These shares are having a tough finish to the week. But why?

Read more »

A young male investor wearing a white business shirt screams in frustration with his hands grasping his hair after ASX 200 shares fell rapidly today and appear to be heading into a stock market crash
Share Market News

Why this ASX uranium share is plunging 25% on Friday

Let's see why investors are smashing the sell button today.

Read more »

A bearded man holds both arms up diagonally and points with his index fingers to the sky with a thrilled look on his face over these rising Tassal share price
Share Gainers

How these 3 ASX 200 stocks smashed the benchmark this week

Investors sent these ASX 200 stocks flying higher over the week. But why?

Read more »